Specifically, the phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” is an Igbo and Yoruba proverb that exists in various African languages.
This sentiment reflects the emphasis on family and community in traditional African culture and may have its origins in the Hebrew Old Testament.
That emphasis on family and community was a key starting point for Teen Learning Community, which was founded on Dec. 19, 2005, in the former Café Seville in the Bryn Mawr Film Society Arcade.
One example of TLC's efforts is partnering with strong community leaders like Ken Kearns, owner and partner of 118 North, who worked with the staff at the downtown Wayne facility to create outreach opportunities for high school musicians.
Another example of a community leader supporting teens is John Maxey.
Radnor’s The Process Quartet made their debut on a chilly Saturday night, November 13, 2021. Hosted by John McSith, the Narberth tent hosted the inaugural GET Cafe Gala, the first event organized by nonprofit founder Brooke Godspeed, featured mouthwatering food, a bonfire and a “hot sauce” musical atmosphere.
The GET Café Gala also featured a singer + songwriter performance by two special students, Rose Weathers and Ava Glover, class of 2023 graduates from Harriton High School, leaders of the Instagram group @Singer Songwriters Main Line.
These two “Cool Cat” dynamos have put together three successful concerts at the Bryn Mawr Gazebo and Green, including on the evening of Friday, May 14th, 2021, Sunday, September 26th, and Sunday, May 22nd, 2022, shortly after COVID pandemic restrictions were eased.
Weathers, Glover and their successors donated all proceeds from on-site donations to WXPN's “Musicians on Call,” a series of three concerts that brought together student musicians and volunteers from more than a dozen area schools.
During the planning stages for the Sept. 26 show, Weathers and Glover agreed to partner with Radnor High School's Caitlin May to add student merchandise vendors and present a preview of the revival of the TLC Fashion & Design Show, which ran at the Main Line Arts Center from 2011-2019.
Caitlin May was the student director who revived the TLC Fashion & Design Show in spring 2020 after it was canceled due to COVID-19.
Started by Lower Merion High School students in May 2007, each year proceeds go to the Bala Cynwyd-based Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, run by Dawn Halsey.
Since TLC's first show, fashion, art and market product designers from nearly every high school on the Main Line have participated in raising funds and awareness for Crohn's and Colitis research.
The nonprofit was originally chosen by Carla Piccoli, a 2007 Latin student at Lower Merion High School who now works as a physician in the neurology department at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Looking back, our first sponsors in 2007 were Maureen Doron, owner of SKIRT, Dawn Capaldi of the Philadelphia Eagles, Wayne-born artist Rachel Soule of GSI Commerce, Lower Merion Parks and Recreation Director Lindsay Taylor, MRS Sound System from Ardmore, and Nicholas Farina and Naomi Reville of the Bryn Mawr restaurant then called BLUSH.
Looking back, the phrase “we couldn't have done it without them” is truly true in every sense.
For the F&D show on Sunday afternoon, May 22, 2022, Student Director Caitlin May brought together designers, clothing makers, and metal arts students from various Mainline schools to model clothing, jewelry, and accessories and explain the inspiration behind their work.
During the show, crochet artist Amanda Olin (Lower Merion), jewelry designer Noa Fohrer (Lower Merion) and Brandon Colon (Colón Apparel, Upper Darby) set up product tables.
Melanie Pereira, Radnor High School textile arts teacher and F&D show adviser, arranged for several students to model the tops and ensembles they had sewn and developed.
Over the years, Directors Donna Heller, Mary Jane Gibly (now retired), and the staff of Lower Merion Parks and Recreation have consistently supported TLC events.
Special thanks to Debbie Niggeman, owner of Arrowroot Farmacy and Café in Bryn Mawr, who always provides us with delicious organic cookies.
In terms of setting up the equipment for these concerts, Frank May of Fox & Roach assembled the tech gear and bought water and copious amounts of pizza for everyone, and Scott Nye, owner of Nye Productions in Bryn Mawr, generously provided the use of his sound equipment for the events.
When Shipley School Student Directors Ava Tiger and Sam Goren wanted to raise the banner of their Teen Learning Community Singer + Songwriter Main Line in the fall of 2023 and create the prospect of hosting concerts of local musicians, everything went smoothly.
Andrew Flores, with Lower Merion Parks and Recreation, approved the permit for the Bryn Mawr Gazebo, first overnight on Friday, Sept. 29, and then Sunday, Oct. 1 if it rains.
Ava and Sam set up a group chat, created a flyer concept, and then launched an Instagram account to reach local musicians.
The team was joined by Damini Babu of Lower Merion High School and James McGovern, a Radnor High School Class of 2022 graduate who will be attending the College of Arts.
The next step is to bring in artists, merch vendors, and set up snack stalls. Ava Tiger enthuses, “We're all so happy with how the show turned out!”
The 2023 and 2024 F&D shows held in “The Big Room” at the Ludington Library were fantastic. Student directors Nadia Hoekler and Nayla Garcia have been running planning sessions at Radnor High School for the past two years.
For the third year in a row, Nadia and Naila will be in charge of planning and running the annual F&D show.
Designers, clothing makers and metal arts students from various Main Line schools are invited to model clothing, jewelry and accessories and talk about the inspiration behind their work.
At the center of each show, Melanie Pereira, Radnor High School textile arts teacher and TLC faculty mentor, will have several students model dresses, tops and ensembles that they have sewn and developed.
During the first 30 minutes of refreshments there will be an opening concert by a student singer-songwriter with guitar.
The designers, models and special guests are then introduced and the show begins.
Again, proceeds from the event, including donations and a raffle for lovely items, will go to the Crohn's and Colitis Research Foundation, based in Bala Shinwood.
In summary, based on all the support I received from my family and community, it is certainly true that it “takes a village” to help students help others.
For information about organizing a concert or participating in the May 2025 F&D event, please email TLC founder Mary Brown at mbrown@sju.edu.